With top goalscorer Romelu Lukaku refusing to sign the new contract offered to him, Seamus Coleman suffering a double leg break while on international duty and the spat between Ronald Koeman and Martin O’Neill over James McCarthy, it hasn’t been an easy time.

A 3-1 defeat in the Merseyside derby on Saturday won’t have helped, but the fact that one of their brightest young prospects has penned a new deal will perhaps provide some light at the end of the tunnel.

The 18-year-old has made 17 appearances in all competitions in what has been an impressive breakthrough campaign for the midfielder, and Everton fans were quick to give their responses via social media.

While most were understandably pleased, others were hoping that the likes of Lukaku and Ross Barkley would choose to follow suit.